I
got called for jury duty yesterday in Suffolk Superior Court and was chosen for
a panel in the trial of a Latino man accused of multiple rapes and
assault. It's possible he is guilty -- and the crime is certainly a
heinous and violent offense.
However, when I was called before the judge and asked if there was any reason I could not render an unbiased verdict,
---I said: "I believe the criminal justice system and the prisons are prejudiced on the basis of race and class."
---Would that affect my decision as a juror? the judge asked.
---I replied: "I could not in good conscious send anyone to jail, regardless of the alleged crime and the evidence, while so many corporate, banker and political criminals remain free and uncharged."
---The judge: "You are dismissed."
However, when I was called before the judge and asked if there was any reason I could not render an unbiased verdict,
---I said: "I believe the criminal justice system and the prisons are prejudiced on the basis of race and class."
---Would that affect my decision as a juror? the judge asked.
---I replied: "I could not in good conscious send anyone to jail, regardless of the alleged crime and the evidence, while so many corporate, banker and political criminals remain free and uncharged."
---The judge: "You are dismissed."
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